Dhaka, Bangladesh – 22 August 2025 – The World Talent Economy Forum Institute (WTEFI) is proud to announce the launch of its Center of Excellence in South Asia, a groundbreaking initiative designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development across the region and beyond.

 Watch the announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMYsIpnqMM

The Center of Excellence will serve as a global hub for research, training, and capacity building, advancing WTEFI’s mission to connect talent with opportunity and accelerate sustainable economic growth. By leveraging cross-sector partnerships and global expertise, the center will empower youth, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and educators to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Key strategic partners joining this initiative include:

Blab Japan – advancing international collaboration and innovation.

Tando Institute – spearheading climate leadership and sustainability education.

PRBC (Pacific Research & Business Council) – driving policy and industry integration.

PRCC (Pacific Regional Cooperation Council) – fostering cross-border cooperation.

Africa Youth Kingdom – empowering young leaders across the African continent.

International Longevity Alliance – promoting global health, aging research, and longevity innovation.

iByond USA – delivering cutting-edge intelligent interoperability and quantum-driven solutions.

Climate Innovation – leading initiatives on sustainability, resilience, and green technologies.

Daffodil International University, IUT Bangladesh, CUET Business Incubation, ADUST Bangladesh

In addition, the Center of Excellence will integrate expertise and networks from all global partners of the World Talent Economy Forum, creating an inclusive platform for dialogue, research, and solution-driven programs.

“The launch of the Center of Excellence in South Asia is a milestone in our journey to build a knowledge-driven, inclusive global economy. By uniting our diverse partners from Asia, Africa, and beyond, we are shaping a new model of talent development and global cooperation,” said Dr. Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana, President of the World Talent Economy Forum Institute.

The South Asia Center of Excellence will focus on:

Innovation & Research – advancing applied research in AI, technology, and sustainable development.

Leadership Development – training the next generation of leaders in governance, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Climate & Sustainability – driving inclusive solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

Global Collaboration – connecting academic, industry, and government leaders worldwide.

The initiative reflects WTEFI’s belief that global partnerships are essential for tackling today’s complex challenges — from climate change and digital transformation to economic inclusion and education reform.

For more information, partnership opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact:

World Talent Economy Forum Institute

 Email: presidentwteforum@gmail.com

 Website: wteforum.org

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We are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership between the World Talent Economy Forum Institute and 400 leading human resource corporations in Japan — a bold step forward in research and innovation collaboration.

Cutting-edge research

Talent mobility programs

Innovation-driven education

Sustainable development goals (SDGs)

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Academic Year 2022-2023
All applications for Academic Year 2022-2023 are now open. Applicants may apply to one program: Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Academic Year 2022-23, Spring 2023, or Calendar Year 2023

The deadline for applicants to submit their applications will be: March 29, 2022.
Applications and Study Abroad Adviser certifications must be submitted by 5:00p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline.

https://apply.iie.org/freemanasia

For more information and assistance with applications, contact Michael Mills, Director of National Fellowships and Scholarships at millsm@geneseo.edu

#freeman #asia #awards #study #scholarships #undergraduate #students #financial #need #academic #summer #fall #spring #march #adviser #deadline #certification #submit #michael #mills #2022 #2023 #director #national #fellowships

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Aug.09 – Rebecca Fannin, founder of Silicon Dragon Ventures and author of “Tech Titans of China,” talks about the prospects for Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok, the video-sharing app that the Trump administration has declared a national-security threat, and the rivalry between U.S. and Chinese technology companies. Twitter Inc. has held early talks about a potential combination with TikTok, Dow Jones reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Fannin speaks on “Bloomberg Markets: Asia.”

IPOs
Chinese AI unicorn Sensetime, backed by Softbank and Alibaba, is heading to a dual listing in Hong Kong & China + $1.5 billion of pre-IPO financing. See photo of founder Xu Li, early investor Frances Leung & me doing a Tech Chat at Silicon Dragon in Hong Kong, November 2017. Early trend-spotting!

Jack Ma lets Chinese startups in on one of his well-timed tips, and sure enough, they’re racing ahead now with IPOs before the coronavirus pandemic or trade war further damages the global economy. ⁦Bloomberg

DEALS
Ban on China-made apps in India gives TikTok rivals a boost such as Bangalore-based Trell, which just raised $11.4 million in Series A financing led by Sequoia Capital India with South Korea’s KTB Network on board.

GGV Capital leads a $22 million, Series B investment in Keya Medical, a Shenzhen-based developer of AI-enabled products for medical analysis.

Creative design platform Tezign in China announces it’s closed a Series C investment by Sequoia Capital China.

In a flurry of deals, Sequoia Capital India leads Series A funding in Singapore startup IncomLend, a trade finance and global invoicing platform, and puts $5 million in education loan startup Eduvanz.

DATA
Private equity takes a mid-year bounce off the bottom – Covid19’s impact. Bain

NOTEWORTHY
More than a dozen US corporate execs voice concerns to the White House that a WeChat ban could hurt business. WSJ

Commerce Department further restricts Huawei access to U.S. Technology and adds another 38 affiliates to the entity list.

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news@silicondragonventures.com

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Last night saw the 30th Miss Asia International Pageant.

Held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, an early home to the Academy Awards, this even was every bit as glamorous and successful as its predecessors.

Hosted by the American International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) and Ding Yifeng Group (DYF), the 2018 Miss Asia Pageant was a celebration of not only the corporeal beauty of Asia but also the beauty of its history and culture.

This event highlighted a desire from the Western eye to understand and appreciate Asian culture, weather it be the charismatic co-host Jeff, a white American who spoke flawless colloquial mandarin, or the guests from all walks of life who wish to pursue work in Asia, to even the judges, film and tv juggernauts right here in the US who now offer the 19 contestants, all representing a different facet of Asian culture, a chance to shine in a Western spotlight.

The show itself was awe-inspiring at times and energetic at others. The contestants started out showcasing “ethnic fashion” whether it be from their own culture or from a culture they respected and admired. Then there was the swimsuit and sportswear segment which made the audience bob their heads along to the energetic music. Finally there was the evening gown segment where all the contestants looked like ethereal beings coming down from heaven!

When it came to the Q and A section of the show, the judges did not go easy on these young girls, many of whom were born and raised in Asia.

Katheryn Daley, an acting coach and judge on the EMMY’s asked one of the girls if they could have any super power, what would they choose. That was perhaps the most light-hearted question to be asked.

Jerermy James Miller, the child star from “Growing Pains”; Cathlyn Choi, celebrity chef and cooking show host; Kurt Glasgow, marketing director for a variety to A-list celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Matthew McConaughey; and Oleg Astakhav, popular TV dance choreographer all posed their own questions to the contestants, ranging from “what’s your greatest fear” to “where is your favorite place on Earth” to “what does the title Miss Asia mean to you?”

Daniel McHugh, a filmmaker and animator who has worked at Disney, Warner Brothers and Dreamworks and won an EMMY for his work on “Tiny Toons” – Steven Spielberg’s first foray into animation, asked one of the girls if they were every bullied. The contestant, a native to LA, replied four years ago, when she was only fourteen, she was out grocery shopping for her family and was talking on the phone with her mom, discussing the grocery list in Chinese, when another woman came up to her and told her to not speak Chinese in America. At the time she was so shocked that she couldn’t think of a reply. It took her many years after this incident to formulate a response and if this were to ever happen to her again, she would respond by saying “it is my privilege to be able to speak in parent’s native language in my home country, It is what makes America what she is, a country full of different people with different cultures.”

Anther judge, Micah Fitzgerald, an actor on AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” asked the contestants what is something about themselves they liked and what is something they would like to improve. I’m not going to lie I was expecting an superficial answer, like “I like my nose but I hate my arms.” The contestant, a high school student from right here in LA, answered she liked her genuineness but would like to be more confident. She also shared that this was her first ever pageant and she was shaking back stage but after stepping into the spotlight all her fear melted away.

And lastly, Craig Shah, CEO of CS Timepieces in Beverly Hills and philanthropist, asked a contestant from Sichuan, China, who did not have a firm grasp on English very well yet, if she thought the English language should or should not be a requirement for International pageants such as Miss Asia. Yikes! To her credit, the 20 year old contestant answered with poise and pride. She said for her personally she would like to master the English language if only so she can connect with more people and that’s what being Miss Asia meant to her: to be able to connect with people from all over the world and affect their lives for the better, however small it may be.

Miss Asia started at 3:00pm on the 8th of December and ended a good 5 hours later at 8:00pm. It kept its audience enthralled the entire time and opened not only their eyes but also their minds to Asia. At the end of the evening, it was Jade Polvani, a native right here to Los Angeles, who was announced as the winner of the 30th Mss Asia International Pageant. She was crowned by Holmes Stoner, the chairman and grandmaster of AICC.

The first runner up, Zhang Yuxuan (from China) was crowned by Jason Quin, the president and CEO of AICC, and the second runner up Kherlen Javkhlan (from Mongolia) was crowned by Robinson Xie, General Manager of DFY.

DYF, a company whose core corporate culture is based on Chinese virtue and trust, who not only strong sense for market trends but also for beauty and pageantry, has found a perfect event that falls in line with everything important to them – Miss Asia International Pageant.

Please find more information on https://missasiainternational.org/2018/12/10/2018-miss-asia-international-pageant-final-u-s-trivia/

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She is the Associate Director, Department of External Affair for NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. Renee is the President of Reenbow Media LLC, an advertising, broadcasting and public relations Company in the US. She serves as an advisor in the Women’s Cabinet to the NYC Mayor’s office of Immigrant Affairs.

An indefatigable advocate for the South Asian community and a civic and community educator, Renee has dedicated herself to addressing the needs of immigrant communities of the tri state area through television and print media and her nonprofit organization POWER (Providing Our Women Equal Rights) to deepen their awareness about their rights as New Americans so they can create their own stories of success

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Buddhism became the first large-scale missionary movement in the history of world religion. Brought from India, it expanded with the establishment of monasteries along the Silk Road. These monasteries afforded merchants and travelers places to stay as they traversed from place to place. Other religions also spread along the trade route including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Manichaeism, and Zoroastrianism.

China’s search for a breed of large, strong horses – replacing their pony-like horses – capable of carrying armor-clad men into battle was instrumental in the formal establishment of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. The success of the trade routes led to the necessity of policing it to thwart the bandits who came to plunder the caravans of goods traversing it. This was partially overcome by building forts and defensive walls, including sections of the Great Wall, along part of the route. Settlements were established as well though mostly in the oasis areas. By the time of the Tang Dynasty, which was known for its internal stability, the use of the horse had expanded beyond the military to that of commerce, entertainment, and sport, including polo, which though referred to as the “emperor of games” and the “sport of kings,” was played not only by royalty but by officials and the upper classes, by men and women alike. After the Tang Dynasty, the traffic on the road subsided as neighboring states again plundered the caravans.

The demise of the Silk Road owes much, too, to the development of the silk route by sea. It was becoming easier and safer to transport goods by water rather than overland. Ships had become stronger and more reliable, and the route passed promising new markets in Southern Asia. Storage jars made in China and Vietnam such as the sampling here of 8 of the 570 found on the wreck of the San Diego, a Spanish galleon converted to a cargo ship, contained preserved food, grain, and fresh water.

Such was the Silk Road and such is Bismuth’s painting of its history and culture.

The head of the Bodhisattva with her beautiful expression and the remaining fragment of her sumptuously ornamented diadem was found in the ruins of Longxingsi, “The Temple of the Dragon Awakening,” in the Shandong province. It is from the Northern Qi dynasty (550 C.E. to 577 C.E.).

The horse is made of terracotta and is from the Tang Dynasty. It was during this dynasty that China reached its apex.

Thus, united herein in Henry Bismuth’s Silk Road are unique segments of its history. While each of the images represents the then, together the whole they create renders an assemblage linking centuries and cultures into the present tense. This is what Bismuth intends. This is his goal. . . to revitalize, to transform, to make us go beyond our conventional thinking, to explore, to see. . . to “link world’s neighborhoods.”

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As the world’s 18th largest trading nation, Taiwan is currently institutionalizing trade relations with mainland China (its largest trading partner), while simultaneously making efforts to pursue regional, bilateral trade agreements. For example, on July 10th 2013, Taiwan and New Zealand signed an economic cooperation agreement (ANZTEC), Taiwan’s first free trade deal with a developed country. Later that year on November 7th 2013, Taiwan and Singapore signed an economic partnership agreement (ASTEP) . We are also in contact with other potential partners in Asia and Europe in the hope of concluding more such accords.

In addition to bilateral negotiations, we must take part in regional arrangements. Given that Taiwan’s trade with the 12 members of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2013 accounted for 34% of Taiwan’s total external trade, we believe Taiwan’s membership in the TPP would definitely be beneficial not only for Taiwan , but also for all TPP member states.

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